3 Day Itinerary for Berlin

While it seems two days in Berlin is not enough, there’s actually so much to see and do during that time. Berlin is the capital city of Germany, but aside from that, it is also considered the melting pot of different cultures in Germany. 

In fact, the city boasts of having striking contrasts – historical buildings alongside modern architecture. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, art, music, or food, you’ll definitely enjoy visiting the city. 

In this 3 day Berlin itinerary, we’ll be sharing with you things you can do as a first-time traveler or even as a seasoned one during your trip to Berlin.

During your stay, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the most iconic landmarks, cultural attractions, and hidden gems that the city has to offer. You’ll also get to taste some local flavors and cuisines that make this city a food lover’s paradise.

Some places to visit in Berlin in 3 days include the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Berlin Wall Memorial. These are iconic landmarks that serve as a reminder of the city’s past, attracting millions of visitors each year. 

Their culinary scene is also worth mentioning especially if you visit the city for the first time. Enjoy the taste of a mix of traditional German cuisine and international influences, from hearty sausages and beer to trendy cafes and Michelin-starred restaurants. 

Finally, to enjoy your 3 days in Berlin, you should also experience their culture and art. Many museums, galleries, and theaters in Berlin showcase classical and contemporary works of artists from the country. 

They even have an area called Museum Island where most of the outstanding museum complexes are in. Museum Island was designed by five excellent architects and made an impressive architectural ensemble of different museum buildings, including the Pergamon Museum.

To enjoy your 3 days Berlin, you should consider staying in Berlin city centre also known as Mitte. This area provides easy access to the city’s top attractions, encompassing many tourist hubs, shopping areas, and good restaurants. 

So after reading this article, you’ll already have an idea of what to do on your two day trip to Berlin. All that’s left to do is pack your bags and prepare to embark to Berlin.

3-Day Itinerary for Berlin

Overview of 3 Days in Berlin Itinerary

Here’s a glance at what you’ll see and do in three days in Berlin:

Day 1 in Berlin:

• Learn about Berlin’s past at the Brandenburg Gate
• Explore the Hackescher Markt 
• Get Lunch in Factory Girl
• Visit the Museum Island 
• Go on a River Cruise 
• Grab a drink at a Rooftop Bar

Day 2 in Berlin:

• Have breakfast at A Never Ending Love Story 
• Visit Charlottenburg Palace
• See the colorful Berlin Wall 
• Visit the East Side Gallery
• Shop at Kurfürstendamm & Kaufhaus des Westens
• Have dinner at Osteria Tressanti 

Day 3 in Berlin:

• See the Checkpoint Charlie
• Go on a short walk to Topography of Terror
• Have lunch at Gaffel Haus Berlin
• Half-day trip to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
• Drinks at Das Hotel

Day 1 in Berlin

Learn about Berlin’s past at the Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s iconic symbols and what better way to start your trip to Berlin than learning about the city’s historical past? 

Aside from having excellent architecture, this 18th-century monument has played a significant role in many of Berlin’s most important events, from the Napoleonic Wars to the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

The Brandenburg Gate symbolizes Berlin’s Cold War division memorial the division into the East and West. It is the only gate left until the reunification of Germany. After the fall of the wall, it has now become a symbol of unity. 

Once you visit the Brandenburg Gate, you’ll learn more about the gate’s history and significance by taking a guided tour or simply wandering around the area.

Explore the Hackescher Markt 

Hackescher Markt is a vibrant and trendy neighborhood in the Mitte district of Berlin. This area is known for its colorful street art, boutique shops, and lively nightlife, which you can definitely enjoy even in the morning. 

When you visit the area, you can explore the many street art and discover an array of murals graffiti, and other public art installations made by the locals.

This is also the best place to get gifts and souvenirs for your loved ones back home as there are lots of boutiques here that shoppers will enjoy exploring. 

Aside from these, the famous Hackesche Hofe is situated here. You can check out the complex and explore the courtyards, where several cafes and galleries are located. 

Get Lunch in Factory Girl

After a packed morning in Berlin for your first day, it’s time to get some lunch! While there are many lunch places in the area, Factory Girl is one of the best. 

This popular lunch spot is located just in the middle of Mitte. They serve healthy and delicious meals inspired by the flavors of Germany and other International cuisines. You can get your fix here and prepare for another packed afternoon strolling around the city. 

Meanwhile, if you have dietary restrictions, they also have a menu for plant-based, gluten-free options such as falafel wraps, salads, and smoothie bowls, all made with fresh, organic ingredients.

Visit the Museum Island 

Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site known around the world. This is a unique complex that is home to five important museums, which attract several visitors yearly.

The five museums inside the island include the Pergamon Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode Museum, the Neues Museum, and the Altes Museum.

Each of these museums has its own unique collection of artifacts and artworks, spanning a wide range of periods and styles. The Pergamon Museum is home to the famous Pergamon Altar, a monumental Hellenistic sculpture from the 2nd century BC. 

Meanwhile, the Alte Nationalgalerie features an extensive collection of 19th-century paintings and sculptures, including works by artists such as Caspar David Friedrich, Adolph von Menzel, and Auguste Rodin.

Other museums also have an extensive collection of sculptures including works by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Antonio Canova.

Together, these five museums offer visitors a comprehensive overview of human history and art, from ancient to modern times. So, if you are in Berlin for two days, you should take time to check out these five museums even for a short span of time. 

Go on a River Cruise 

After long walks on Museum Island, one of the best ways to enjoy your afternoon in Berlin is to go on a sunset river cruise. There are lots of river cruises in Berlin, and you can easily take one when in the city. 

This is also a great way to see the city from a different perspective. During the cruise along the River Spree, you can enjoy sightseeing bypassing the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Reichstag building, the Berliner Dom, Berlin Cathedral, and the Berlin Wall.

Since you have a wide selection of cruises, you can find one with dinner on board. This way, you can enjoy food and relaxation at the same time. 

Grab a drink at a Rooftop Bar

What better way to end the day in Berlin than having good drinks, a pint of beer maybe at a rooftop bar in the city? 

Berlin is famous for its rooftop bars, offering stunning views of the city skyline. Lots of visitors can grab a drink at one of the many rooftop bars, but one of the best ones is the rooftop lounge at Hotel de Rome.

Here you can enjoy the panoramic city views while sipping on a cocktail. If you’re travelling solo, you can even have luck meeting new travelling buddies here.

Day 2 in Berlin

Have breakfast at A Never Ending Love Story 

Before starting a packed second day in Berlin, you should fuel up and get breakfast at one of the most famous breakfast places in the city.

A Never Ending Love Story is a cozy and charming café that offers a delicious breakfast menu with fresh pastries, sandwiches, and coffee.

This cafe is also trendy and chic, so you’ll enjoy not only your food here but as well as taking photos in the place.

While there are other good breakfast places in the neighborhood, this place is highly recommended for first-time travelers.

Visit Charlottenburg Palace

One if the must-visits in Berlin is the Charlottenburg Palace. During your second day, start your touring as you check out this magnificent baroque palace in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin.

It was built in the late 17th century as a summer residence for the Prussian queen, Sophie Charlotte, and has since been expanded and renovated several times. 

In the area, you can check out the Palace Gardens which features ornate fountains, manicured lawns, and winding pathways.

You can also tour the Palace interiors and check the masterpiece of baroque architecture and design, featuring ornate stucco work, frescoes, and paintings. 

A new addition to the place is the New Wing where you can see a collection of art and antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries including the Porcelain Cabinet, the Painting Gallery, and the Royal Apartments.

If you enjoy learning about culture, art, and history, then you’ll enjoy your visit here.

See the colorful Berlin Wall 

Among all the famous landmarks in Berlin, the Berlin Wall is something you should not miss out on. The Berlin Wall was a barrier that divided the city of Berlin from 1961 to 1989.

It was built by the German Democratic Republic (GDR), also known as East Germany, to prevent its citizens from fleeing to West Berlin. 

As you visit the Berlin Wall, you can learn more about how it was controlled by the Western Allies and was seen as a symbol of freedom and prosperity. 

In the past, the wall was made up of concrete barriers, barbed wire, and guard towers, and was heavily fortified and guarded by soldiers.

It separated families, friends, and communities and was a symbol of the Cold War division between East and West. 

But after the fall of the Berlin Wall, marked the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany.

Today, parts of the wall are preserved as a memorial and a reminder of the city’s turbulent past. This is why you will see colorful art murals and graffiti here. 

Visit more of the East Side Gallery

After learning about Germany’s history, you can explore more of the East Side Gallery. This outdoor art gallery is one of the most popular attractions in Berlin. The gallery features more than 100 murals painted by artists from all over the world, depicting themes of freedom, unity, and hope.

The East Side Gallery is a 1.3-kilometer-long open-air gallery and is a part section of the Berlin Wall that has been turned into a canvas for over 100 murals painted by artists from around the world. 

The gallery was created in 1990, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, as a way to commemorate the reunification of Germany and to express the hope for a better future.

The murals address various themes, including freedom, unity, and human rights. The most famous mural is “The Fraternal Kiss” by Russian artist Dimitri Vrubel, which depicts the embrace between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker.

Shop at Kurfürstendamm & Kaufhaus des Westens

After checking out the famous historic landmarks and attractions in Berlin, it’s time to go shopping! Kurfürstendamm, also known as Ku’damm, is a bustling shopping district in western Berlin, lined with luxury boutiques, department stores, and restaurants. 

Meanwhile, Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe) is the largest department store in continental Europe, offering a vast selection of products and gourmet food. While many shops here are high-end brands, you can still go window shopping and maybe look for something for yourself. 

Moreover, since there are lots of restaurants and cafes here, you can also have your dinner here to end your second day in Berlin. Have good traditional German food, and maybe get a pint of beer to cap off your weekend in Berlin.

Day 3 in Berlin

See the Checkpoint Charlie

If you want to learn more about the history of Berlin, it is highly recommended that you visit Checkpoint Charlie.

This is one of the most iconic landmarks of the Cold War era, which served as a crossing point between East and West Berlin during the divided city’s existence. It also offers insights into the historical struggles and tensions of the time. 

At present, Checkpoint Charlie is a setting for many thrillers and spy movies, which you might have seen yourself when watching. Located on Friedrichstraße, you can easily get there by getting on Berlin’s subway to Stadmitte but some buses pass through.

A visit to the area in the morning is better since there will be less crowd, and you can take many photos as you want. 

Go on a short walk to Topography of Terror

After an hour or two at Checkpoint Charlie, you can go straight ahead to the Topography of Terror. This is a museum that chronicles the atrocities of the Nazi regime during World War II. 

Inside, you will have a sobering and informative experience that can provide important lessons about the consequences of hatred and oppression. While you can visit the place on your own, you also have the choice to book a guided tour going to the museum. 

This way, you’ll have no problem with transportation and explore each corner of the museum with commentary information. 

Have lunch at Gaffel Haus Berlin

After going around the museum, you’re probably famished and want to fuel up with a hearty meal. Fortunately, there are nearby restaurants in the area, where you can grab good food. 

Never let a day pass not to enjoy authentic local food, so it’s highly recommended that you have your lunch at Gaffel Haus Berlin, a traditional German restaurant.

They serve hearty portions of regional cuisine and a wide range of German beers. Plus, the cosy atmosphere and friendly service make it an ideal place to relax and refuel after a morning of sightseeing.

Half-day trip to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Since this is your third day in Berlin, it’s time to take a day trip out of the city. This means you should go on a tour of the famous trip to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

The camp is one of the most significant historical sites of the Holocaust. 

Sachsenhausen a former Nazi camp, is a haunting reminder of the horrors of the war and offers a chance to pay respects to the victims and learn more about this dark period in history.

Although you can travel by yourself going there, booking a half-day tour trip will make things a lot easier. 

This way, you will join a small group that you can interact with and have a professional guide lead you throughout the tour in the area.

At the camp, you’ll see punishment cells and gas chambers while hearing stories about the prisoners that stayed there. 

Drinks at Das Hotel 

After a long day in Berlin, it’s time to end your day (and trip) by sipping on a refreshing drink at Das Hotel. This is one of the trendiest and most vibrant bars in the heart of Berlin.

While there are many other places you can end your day in, the unique atmosphere and eclectic music selection make Das Hotel a great spot to unwind and soak up the city’s energetic nightlife.

Tours in Berlin

History Walking Tour

There are lots of historical landmarks and tourist attractions in Berlin, and since you only have 3 days in the city, it would be a great idea to book a private History walking tour.

If you book a walking tour for your group, you can save time reading up on the history of Berlin and just enjoy seeing these landmarks. 

This is because a professional guide will join you throughout the tour and share important information about the places you will be visiting. 

Some of the spots to see during the tour include the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and the Reichstag Building.

Tasting Tour 

Since Berlin is also known for their great culinary food scene, you should consider joining a walking tour of the city. While you can also explore different restaurants and cafes during your visit, joining a small tasting group tour will help you save time planning your route and visiting places. 

Moreover, during this tasting tour, you will be taken to touristy roads, making you experience what it’s like to dine in like a local. Wander in an area where hip galleries, communist-designed boulevards, kebab shops, boutique bakeries, and German sausage sellers are.

Together with a knowledgeable guide, you’ll learn more about the city’s food culture. Surely, this food trip will be worth it, especially for lovers who want to taste real German food.

3 Day Itinerary for Berlin Wrap-up

With all that being said, two days in Berlin is definitely enough to see all the famous locations and landmarks in the city.

We have already included an overview of the places you can check out and things to do during your trip, and while it may look overwhelming, this trip will be worth your time.

So, save this article, and all you have left is to pack your things, book your ticket and you’re ready for Berlin! 

Recommended tours in Berlin

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